XXV Peralada Castle Festival 2011
The Peralada Festival, one of the most prestigious cultural summer events in Spain, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of these musical concerts in the collection of monuments in this tourist town.
If you’re heading to the Costa Brava this July or August, you will be able to witness up close the magnificent recitals, chamber concerts, operas, jazz, pop, theatre and dance shows taking over Peralada Castle during the festival.
This beautiful gothic and renaissance building, built in the XVI and XVI century, has become the incomparable setting for some captivating music and exquisite voices during these pleasant spring evenings.
The shows are carried out on two stages: the open air stage, in the auditorium situated in the castle gardens, and inside the Iglesia del Carmen church, a gothic building which still has its original polychrome wood coffered ceiling.
This year’s edition will be a special one, paying tribute to its origins where opera holds an important place. Thus, artists who have previously performed in the event will be attending. The curtain will rise to the sound of “Nabucco” by Verdi at the concert opening, played by Maria Guleghina, Joan Pons, Ferruccio Furlanetto and Nino Surguladze, accompanied by the Gran Teatre del Liceu orchestra and choir.
Other highlights of the event include the opera “Orpheus and Eurydice” by Glück, under the stage management of La Fura dels Baus, and featuring the soprano singer Montserrat Caballé, linked to the origins of the festival, who will be performing twice, and the tenor Plácido Domingo, who now in his 70s, will be performing a repertoire of arias, opera duos and Spanish operettas.
Joan Manuel Serrat, Sondra Radvanovsky, Quincy Jones, Jaime Cullum and Rosario comprise other artists lined up to perform on the castle stages and entertain the public with their voices. The theatre company els Comediants will be performing at the festival closing ceremony, with a party to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the event.
Take advantage of the summer months to get to know this historic municipality in the heart of the Costa Brava. Further to the music and shows, you can enjoy their elegant casino, their green golf courses and select wines and cavas.
Practical information:
When: the 15th of July to the 15th of August
Entrance prices: the prices for the diverse shows range from 20 to 250 euro. There are also diverse festival passes available. You can buy them through ServiCaixa and at the festival website.